Retail industry

UK: FEAR OVER FORMULA MILK GIVEN TO BABIES

Article Abstract:

The mental development of babies given normal formula milk has been found to be lower than in infants fed with milk augmented with two important fatty acids, according to research released in the UK on 9 March 2000. SMA and Cow & Gate account to 70% of formula milk sales in the UK but neither includes arachidonic acid (AA) or docosahexaenoic (DHA) in their products. Both DHA and AA can be found naturally in breast milk. Babies given the normal milk were lagging behind in the mental development index by seven points at 18 months of age. It is claimed that formula milk may not possess the fatty acids for the brain to grow in research undertaken over 20 years by the University of North London's Institute of Brain Chemistry. The institute's Professor Michael Crawford stressed that from a hormonal and immunological viewpoint, breast milk is the best option.

UK: ORGANIC BABY FOOD CONTAINS PESTICIDES

Article Abstract:

Tests by the Pesticides Residues Committee, the UK government's watchdog for pesticide levels, has founds traces of chemicals used on fruit in certain baby food products. The affected brands include Baby Organix and Milupa. Test were carried out in the first half 2000. The Baby Organix company, which is based in Dorset in the UK, believes that pesticides from neighbouring crops may have blown onto organic crops. Organic products now account for one-third of baby foods sold in the UK due to rising concerns about health, and new rules will restrict pesticides in all baby foods to 0.01% within two years. The research also found that 69% of 35 lettuce samples contained pesticide residues, while a brand of peanut butter stock by Sainsbury's contained the banned DDT.

UK: MILLIONS COULD DIE FROM CJD

Article Abstract:

Dr Stephen Dealler, a leading microbiologist and expert on CJD, has warned that deaths resulting from CJD, the human variant of BSE, could total thousands, possibly millions. The disclosure follows a doubling of annual CJD deaths over the past few years. Dr Dealler estimated that people could have consumed an average of 50 meals containing infected animal tissue. The UK agriculture minister, Nick Brown, also revealed that deaths from CJD could be higher than anticipated. It is thought that the forecasts and the recent release of the BSE inquiry report could harm beef sales in the UK.